The cosmetic industry profits thousands of dollars every year selling facial products. These products are intended to help men and women alike ‘erase’ those annoying crow’s feet, wrinkles, and laugh lines that seem to appear and increase every year as we get older. But, as much as we would all love to turn back the clock – is that what all those ‘lines’ really mean? Just simply signs of aging?

Several times, I’ve thought about what it would be like to go back to being a youthful teenager. After not much thought, I knew, maybe like you, that it was not a time I felt I wanted to relive. Then I thought about other youthful days in my life, and I began to think about all the things God had taught me through those days. Some were very happy times while others were decades that consisted of some sorrows and trials. But with every memory, I saw God’s hand in each situation and His faithfulness in every ‘wrinkle.’

So for me, I began to look at these as my lines of wisdom. Even if I could, I wouldn’t want to go back and relive those moments as I gained the wisdom God gave me through the difficult days. And the happy days which caused those ‘laugh lines’ are simply reminders to me of His incredible goodness. The Bible reminds us in Psalms 90:9 that we live our lives as a “tale that is told.” And that wisdom, in Proverbs 4:7, is “the principal thing.” 

I suppose, like many things in life, it’s all how you look at it. I’ll continue to look at these as my lines of wisdom. Although, secretly, I pray God will keep me from gaining too much wisdom. 🙂

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Sandie Slye, Finance Administrator

The Slyes have been an integral part of North Valley for twenty years. Mrs. Slye joined the staff of North Valley in 1986. She first worked as a church receptionist and secretary then taught in our high school for nine years. Now, she assists her husband in the finance department. All three of the Slyes’ children have been born while they have served at North Valley.